The term ‘Blossom tree’ is often used to describe a large range of winter/spring flowering deciduous trees. Images of established gardens with cherry blossom trees in full flower, carpets of petals under the trees and spring flowering bulbs sell the ‘look’ most gardeners want when they plant a flowering blossom tree.

Unfortunately many of the varieties pictured usually aren’t suitable to some of the harshest climatic regions in Australia and so the ‘look’ goes out the window or is unsuccessfully recreated, with the unsuitable plants struggling.  Remember, there are varieties of blossom trees that are bullet proof. Call into your local garden centre and take a look around as they will stock varieties suitable to your area.

One of my favourites for a small garden or a large container isthe flowering apricot. It is a very hardy small tree and is often the first of the blossom trees to come into bloom, flowering in mid winter. Prunus mume ‘Pendula’ is the weeping form and is a spectacular speciman plant. Small buds of soft pink open at the top of the branches first, giving the effect of petals falling. Both are ideally suited to any garden. The benefits of planting a small flowering deciduous tree are many. The ornamental apricot produces late winter/spring flowering when the garden tends to be at its dullest.

They are perfectly suited to both large and small gardens depending upon the variety selected.

Tip

Always prune blossom trees after flowering. If pruning is carried out in winter, flowering is greatly reduced as the branches with the buds ready to ‘pop’ will have been removed.